Essay on Lohri

Important Points: Introduction - When lohri is celebrated in 2022 - Why Lohri Festival is celebrated - History behind celebrating Lohri - How Lohri is celebrated in India - Today's Lohri Festival in India - Importance of Celebrating Lohri - Conclusion.

Lohri is one of the famous festival of India. This is the most popular festival of Punjab which is celebrated every year by the people of Punjabi religion. This festival is celebrated in the winter month. It is believed on the day of Lohri when the day is the shortest day of the year and the night is the longest night of the year. This day is celebrated as a farming festival by lighting a bonfire, dancing and singing praises of the bridegroom. It is a festival of Punjabis but today it is also celebrated by the people living in the northern states of India like Haryana, Himachal Pradesh, etc.

In the year 2022 the festival of Lohri was celebrated on 13th January, Thursday.

Lohri is the most popular festival of Punjab. There are many tales of celebrating Lohri in Punjabi as it is believed that the name Lohri originated from the word "Loi" (Saint Kabir's wife). Some say that the word originated from "loh" (tool used for making chapatis). Another belief of celebrating the festival of Lohri is that Lohri was born in the name of Holika's sister. People believe that Holika's sister was saved, although Holika herself died in the fire. It is believed by many that the word Lohri originated from Tilorhi (a combination of sesame and Rorahi). The farmers of the country celebrate Lohri as the beginning of the new financial year.

The history behind celebrating Lohri is very old. It marks the new year and marks the beginning of the spring season as well as the end of the winter season. People believe that the night of Lohri is the longest night of the year, since then each day becomes longer and the nights gradually become shorter. It is celebrated with great enthusiasm in praise of Dulha Batti. In the time of King Akbar, there was a dacoit (gangster) who used to steal money from the houses of rich people and distribute it to poor people. He was like a hero to the poor people and the helpless, he saved the lives of various girls who were forcibly taken away from their homes by strangers. He helped helpless girls by paying dowry in their marriages. Started celebrating Lohri festival in praise of Dulha Bhatti for his great works. It indicates the movement of the Sun from south to north on the day of Lohri, and enters the Tropic of Capricorn from the Tropic of Cancer. Lohri festival is dedicated to Lord Sun and Fire. It is a happy day for every Punjabi. Lohri is celebrated by people of Sikh and Hindu religions.

This festival is celebrated by people in India with lots of joy and gaiety just like other festivals. It is a festival where all the family members, relatives and friends celebrate together. On the day of Lohri, everyone meets each other and enjoys by bottling sweets. It is the most famous harvest festival which holds great importance for the farmers. On this day people light bonfire, sing songs and dance around it. While singing and dancing around the bonfire, some toffees, sesame seeds, jaggery and other things are put in the fire.

It is celebrated with different names in different states of India, such as Bhogi in Andhra Pradesh, Megh Bihu in Assam, Makar Sankranti in Uttar Pradesh, Bihar and Karnataka, Pongal in Tamil Nadu etc. On this day everyone wears beautiful and colorful clothes and performs Bhangra (Gidda) to the beat of Dhol (a musical instrument). In the evening a puja ceremony is held in which people worship the fire and circumambulate around the bonfire to seek blessings for future prosperity. After that people enjoy eating delicious food like maize roti, mustard greens, sesame seeds, jaggery, etc. The festival of Lohri marks an early look for the new financial year for the farmers. It is celebrated every year by all Punjabis living in India and abroad.

The festival of Lohri is as important for the newly wed couple as it is for the first child born at home. On this day, the bride gets ready by wearing new bangles, clothes, nice bindi, henna, new saree while on the other hand the husband gets ready wearing new clothes and colorful turban. On this day every new bride is given many gifts by her in-laws including new clothes and jewelry. On behalf of both the family members (bride and groom) and other chief guests are invited together in this grand ceremony. The newly wed couple is seated at one place and some gifts are given to them by other family members, neighbors, friends, relatives. They all bless the new couple for their better life and bright future.

Nowadays the Lohri festival has been modernized. Earlier people used jaggery and sesame for gift giving, however, modern people have started giving gifts like chocolate cake and chocolates. Because due to the increasing pollution in the environment, people are highly aware and very conscious about environmental protection and its safety while celebrating Lohri. Instead of cutting many trees to light the bonfire, enjoy the Lohri festival in a new way by planting trees.

There are many importance of celebrating Lohri such as wheat is the main winter crop which is sown in October whereas, it is harvested in late March and early April. Farmers celebrate this Lohri festival before harvesting and collecting the crop before bringing it home. It falls in the middle of January according to the Hindu calendar when the Sun is away from the Earth. The festival of Lohri marks the end of winter and the beginning of spring. Everyone celebrate this festival to get happiness and prosperity in the whole life. It is considered to be the most auspicious day which indicates the entry of Sun into Capricorn.

On the day of Lohri, the children of the house demand some money and food items. In the evening after sunset, people together light a huge fire in the field of the harvested crop. People sing and dance in a circle around the bonfire and pray to their god Agni and Surya for happiness and prosperity. After the worship ceremony, they meet their friends, relatives, neighbors etc. and distribute gifts, prasad with congratulations and many good wishes. The day after Lohri marks the beginning of the month of Magh which is called Maghi day. On this holy day people take a dip in the Ganges and give some donations to the poor. They arrange the birth of a new baby in the house and a big feast for the newly wed couple. It is a great festival when people take a short break from their busy schedule or job and enjoy with each other. It is a huge festival which brings a sense of unity and brotherhood to all. People thank their God for giving them a happy and prosperous life on earth.